Research has long shown the tie between strong physical health and good mental health.

This year, the Devil Mountain Run -- a long-standing tradition in Danville -- has made the Discovery Counseling Center the beneficiary of the 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run on May 5.

The run will be held in memory of Allison Bayliss, an athletic San Ramon Valley High School sophomore who lost her battle with depression and took her own life in May 2011. Allison had been a member of the swim team while at San Ramon High and organizers want to honor her with an athletic event.

“We focus so much of our time and energy keeping our kid’s physically healthy – yet many times we don’t focus on their emotional and mental health," said Danville's Chris McCrary, co-founder of Katalyst Events, which is organizing the race. "We hope (the Devil Mountain Run) will raise awareness of the struggles that our kids deal with every day and to let them know that there are resources like the Discovery Counseling Center right in our backyard."

Started in 1978, the race, which draws about 2,000 runners and walkers each year, was cancelled last year when the sponsor, Children's Hospital Oakland pulled out because of high production costs.

Discovery Center Executive Director Kathy Chiverton said she wants to spread the word about the center, which aims to understand the importance of early intervention in coping with mental health challenges.

"Our goal is to ensure that all in need have access to mental health services and that no one is turned away because of an inability to pay full fees. We are most grateful for the generous support from the Devil Mountain Run, which will assist Discovery Counseling Center in our mission to continue to provide resources to help our community stay healthy,'' she said.

McCrary and Kevin Magna, co-founders of Katalyst Events, have been involved in the racing community for years. Both are accomplished athletes and helped to lead the Forward Motion Race Club to a premier running and triathlete club in Northern California before embarking on their new endeavor as race producers.

Registration for the events range from $25-$40 and the Kids Fun Run is free. Registration is available online at http://www.devilmtnrun.com/ -- KB

Perhaps you have considered your assorted collection of notes, jotted down in a journal, on scraps of paper or in other various notebook forms, to be all you would ever do to preserve your most significant life memories.  You might think “What, me? actually gathering my thoughts and facts together into a written form chronicling my personal life experiences or family stories?  It is a plausible endeavor worth your confidence and, yes, worthy of publishing as a lasting document for posterity, generations to come.

There are, in fact, resources through Soleil Lifestory Network for the coaching services necessary to afford interested individuals aid in creating a memoir of which to be proud.  Details of editing and book production are all included in a free e-book by Denis Ledoux, with 25 years of memoir-writing skills, at www.turningmemories.com.

This accessible-on-line FAQ guidebook outlines the Ghostwriting Services available and elaborates on how a co-author or ghostwriter provides the technical skills and sensibility to help you realize your dream of preserving and sharing your life story in manuscript form.  The finished product will be your story, autobiography, and yours alone!

There are myriad obstacles which might detain a person from being a self-starter in composing the draft, initiating their written work.  Indeed, a first step complimentary half hour consultation helps sketch and craft your life story, as an architect employs your vision to create your dream house.  Loose bits of recall, scenes, dialogues and vignettes can be woven into a tapestry of vivid themes and meanings, creating a “text that fully expresses and embodies the life you wish to memorialize in your book”, reports Ledoux.

From its inception in 1988, Soleil Lifestory Network has been an advocate to thousands with a desire to document personal and family stories.  Not uncommon is concern that someone’s story is not worth preserving.  Overcoming this initial doubt and taking the preliminary steps offered as a motivational jump start, gives writers the confidence to get going!  A live interview and providing you with digital photos can be arranged with Denis Ledoux at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The added benefits of putting your purpose to print might be the healing or developmental process for the writer.  Much can be learned, experienced or shared with others in the process of relating your life story or excerpts from family history.  Or the writing can be significant just for itself. The process of “letting go, opening up to share well-kept treasures of family history or little-known events of a by-gone era, can serve as a catharsis or cleansing for repressed emotions, evoking a sense of relief for both the writer and the reader.

Thinking the unspoken words and consigning a lasting text for family to read has intrinsic value.  Ledoux expresses “The worth of a memoir is [best] measured by the inherent value to the writer and to its selected audience.”  There is a unique quality about each and everyone’s life.  It could be that you were the first person to accomplish a certain success  in your community, organize a group or discover a simple remedy for removing impossible stains.

Giving it some thought, it is highly likely that we all can find a reason to write our own story that would be unique and different from anyone else’s.  As you embark upon the trip down memory lane, new avenues of exploration can be guided by the expert coaching at Soleil Lifestory Network at www.turningmemories.com or at 207-353-5454, 9-5 EST. --KRB

Karen Balch is a retired nurse, avid traveler and freelance writer. She is currently working on her memoir. Reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

It is inspiring to know I can offer support where and when needed, even being able to provide a critically life-saving gift for up to three lives saved in a donation of a single pint of my blood.  That is why I want to give.  The reward for me is that there is virtually no cost, a short reclining pause in my day, amid a comfortable room filled with other like donors, ordinary people of a generous spirit, making a difference for someone in need.

Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion of some blood product.  This equals a requirement for 44,000 blood donations every day or 5 million donations a year.  To extend a life for a child with leukemia, someone with hemophilia or an accident victim, a voluntary donation can make a huge difference in a life or death situation.

The American Red Cross, established in 1940, serves as the agency to accept only volunteer donors who are not paid for their benevolent gifts of donating blood.  The safe, sterile and confidential procedure includes a check of vital signs, temperature, pulse, blood pressure and finger-stick hemoglobin value.  All blood is tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and other infectious diseases before being used. 

Only 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, and of those 50% are loyal, repeat donors.  The gender of donors is almost equally divided at 50/50 for men and women.
Not all donations needed after natural disasters and crisis events involve a monetary gift, but even more precious in some situations is the gift of life-saving blood, given voluntarily. 

The plus side is that healthy bone marrow in a blood donor makes a constant supply of red blood cells, plasma and platelets, thus the body replenishes the elements given during the donation procedure within a short time.  The safe interval between donations is generally 56 days and future appointments may be scheduled at the time of your donation.
The requirements for donating include:  being healthy, no sickness or fever;  age: 16-76 years old;  weight minimum:  110 pounds.  A donor must be well-hydrated with a healthy iron level, a hemoglobin of at least 12 grams and carry an appropriate ID card.

Why do I want to donate blood?  Knowing it is the right thing to do, I want to help others who might be in need.  The feeling of accomplishment is shared with other donors as we join at tables in the hospitality area after our donations to enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages before saying good-bye to the friendly and helpful Red Cross staff.

Helen Keller inspired others in remarking “When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”    
Walk-ins are welcome and appointments may be made by calling:  1 800 733-2767.  Locations are listed at 1 800 RED-CROSS and at www.redcross.org-- KRB

Karen Balch is a retired nurse, avid traveler, community volunteer and freelance writer. Reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

It may have been a well-kept secret that quite a small island located just 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco in the Richmond Bay is home to a unique dinner, bed and breakfast inn.  However, East Brother Light Station, built in 1873, has been operating as an active lighthouse for 133 years, first and foremost as an adjunct to the navigation of mariners in the San Pablo and San Francisco Bays.  Two islands on the east of the San Pablo Strait are named The Brothers.  Two similar islands on the west are referred to as The Sisters.  A long and colorful history of use extends since the lighting of the civilian manually-operated beacon of East Brother Light Station in 1874.

After WWII, Coast Guard personnel replaced civilian light keepers, tending the station around the clock, providing for all forms of maintenance and ferrying supplies from shore to the island.  The conversion to automation of the beacon’s operation in 1969 and the subsequent placement of EBLS on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, brought with it a new and brighter focus.  The lighthouse had survived storm waves, earthquakes, gales, collisions by ships and a major fire over its lifetime.

By 1979, a 20 year renewable license, issued to restore and occupy the station and operate a Bed and Breakfast Inn sparked the interest and efforts of over 300 volunteers to begin restoration of this pillar of light. Saving the lighthouse from destruction, enthusiasm and overwhelming community support brought their efforts to fruition in less than 1 year, as supplies and personnel were ferried across from Richmond in private boats.
Now in full swing for over 30 years is a California historical Victorian lighthouse B&B, where dinner is served the evening of arrival via a guest ferry service of 10 minutes time across the bay.  Adventure begins in the open boat, captained by host, Richard Foregger, a Coast Guard commercially licensed operator.  Once docked upon the island, guests are greeted by partner and hostess, Jude Haukom, who conveys a sense of serenity in sharing this special landmark with visitors and guests.

With new-found experience as inn keepers since June 2012, the couple both have backgrounds in television entertainment, Richard as a director/producer and Jude as an actress.  Haukom remarks “We’re able to meet people we never would have met otherwise, and they always seem to leave happy.”  Foregger expresses his fascination with the foghorn, “It’s a mind blowing experience.”

The dinner, bed and breakfast inn is available for bookings Thursday through Sunday of each week, with a choice of 5 queen bed accommodation options.   Two rooms have private baths, two rooms share a bath and another choice is in an intimate separate building, farthest from the foghorn.  All have different views and one is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace.  The modern amenities of propane fueling and solar panels for water-heating provide comfort to this unique retreat, where gourmet food, nostalgia, charm and expansive views of San Francisco skyline, Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin coastline etch a landmark memory  for visiting  guests.  

Rates include harbor parking, the boat ride to and from with pick up at Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor at  4 pm and return by 11 am next day, evening hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne, a tour of the lighthouse with history and demonstration of the diaphone fog horns, a 4 course dinner with complimentary wines, topped off with a full gourmet breakfast in the morning.  For reservations and virtual tour of the rooms, go to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call:  510 233-2385.

Consideration should be given to the requirement for physical stamina and strength to climb from a bobbing boat up a vertical ladder.  No pets are allowed and the minimum age requirement for the stay is 18 years old.  Fishing is allowed with a license, and for groups of up to 12, luncheons and parties may be arranged.  During summer months, day use on Saturdays at a $20 charge includes the boat transportation and a guided tour of the island.

Funds earned by the Inn, through its non-profit, corporation, pay for ongoing restoration and maintenance costs of the buildings and equipment on the island.  Yet, volunteers are needed, “Wickies”, named for those who spent time trimming the oil lamp wicks to keep the lighthouse lamp aflame.  All are welcome who may offer their skills or energy on 2nd Saturday each month.  By registering on the web site, you will receive the monthly e-vite to the work party.  The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m workday includes a short boat ride to the island.   Contact to Angelina Schwark at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info.  The adventure will be well worth it!  --KRB

Karen Balch is a retired nurse, avid traveler and freelance writer. Reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .